Summary of Colonialism
After Sierra Leone gained independence in April of 1961, it underwent some difficulties. It did regaine a parliamentary system of government and became a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. But when a single-party state was attempted to be established by Sir Albert Margai, the All People's Congress opposed the idea, which was eventually abandoned. After that, numerous elections,arrests, and a revolt took place, while the people of the country scrambled to find rulers and a system of government that could be agreed on. For a period of time, the All People's Congress was elected under President Stevens to take rule in a one-party government and some peace was restored. After 18 years of ruling as president, Stevens retired and Joseph Saidu Momoh became president. President Momoh promised many changes for the better, but revolts brokeout once again. Momoh was eventually sent into exile by a group of seven young military officers, who fought for power amongst one another. The rebels and revolts became so many that the United Nations agreed to send peacekeepers in 1999 to restore order and disarm rebels. About 500 of them were captured, and Britain once again entered Sierra Leone to rescue the captives. Many died in the conflict, but elections took place to secure a new ruler, which has been changing ever since.
This video is an interview of a sierra leonean singer discussing the independence that sierra leone has had for the past 48 years.
Leader of 1989 rebelleion against British rule, Bai Bureh
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Freetown Colony, 1856
Britain took control of Freetown in 1808, eventually expanding it into Sierra Leone. When Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain in 1961, a year after Sir Milton Margai led the Sierra Leone delegation at a conference with British Colonial Secretary Iain MacIeod in London, Britain left the country alone. But Britain once again entered Sierra Leone in 2000 to rescue captive Europeans who had come to restore peace and disarm the rebels who were causing an uprise in Sierra Leone. Britain troops started to train the Sierra Leone army before they themselves were captured by the West Side Boys, a rebel group. Shortly after though, they were freed by a British raid. They have continued to monitor Sierra Leone on and off since the country gained its independence.
After Sierra Leone gained independence in April of 1961, it underwent some difficulties. It did regaine a parliamentary system of government and became a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. But when a single-party state was attempted to be established by Sir Albert Margai, the All People's Congress opposed the idea, which was eventually abandoned. After that, numerous elections,arrests, and a revolt took place, while the people of the country scrambled to find rulers and a system of government that could be agreed on. For a period of time, the All People's Congress was elected under President Stevens to take rule in a one-party government and some peace was restored. After 18 years of ruling as president, Stevens retired and Joseph Saidu Momoh became president. President Momoh promised many changes for the better, but revolts brokeout once again. Momoh was eventually sent into exile by a group of seven young military officers, who fought for power amongst one another. The rebels and revolts became so many that the United Nations agreed to send peacekeepers in 1999 to restore order and disarm rebels. About 500 of them were captured, and Britain once again entered Sierra Leone to rescue the captives. Many died in the conflict, but elections took place to secure a new ruler, which has been changing ever since.
This video is an interview of a sierra leonean singer discussing the independence that sierra leone has had for the past 48 years.
Britain took control of Freetown in 1808, eventually expanding it into Sierra Leone. When Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain in 1961, a year after Sir Milton Margai led the Sierra Leone delegation at a conference with British Colonial Secretary Iain MacIeod in London, Britain left the country alone. But Britain once again entered Sierra Leone in 2000 to rescue captive Europeans who had come to restore peace and disarm the rebels who were causing an uprise in Sierra Leone. Britain troops started to train the Sierra Leone army before they themselves were captured by the West Side Boys, a rebel group. Shortly after though, they were freed by a British raid. They have continued to monitor Sierra Leone on and off since the country gained its independence.